How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery [Paperback]

Edward Winkleman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 2009

Aspiring and new art gallery owners can now find everything they need to plan and operate a successful art gallery in this comprehensive volume. Edward Winkleman draws on his years of experience to explain step by step how to start your new venture. Chapters detail how to:

write a business plan — find start-up capital — find your ideal locale — renovate the space — manage cash flow — promote and grow your new business — attract and retain artists and clients — hire and manage staff — represent your artists

How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery also includes sample forms, helpful tips from veteran collectors, a large section on art fairs, and a directory of art dealers associations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery

"Ed runs one of the most straightforward sites dedicated to demystifying and discussing various aspects of the art world. Now, in How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery, he's packed–in understandable terms–information I wish I had known before starting my gallery."–Zach Feuer, owner, Zach Feuer Gallery and cofounder of New Art Dealers Alliance

“Ed Winkleman has two qualities that are rare: he is quite knowledgeable about the business of operating a contemporary art gallery, and he is willing to share that knowledge with the rest of the world, through his blog and now in this book. He has one more unique quality: his writing is a pleasure to read.”–Daniel Grant, author of The Business of Being an Artist

Ed Winkleman's book is a comprehensive reference for any gallery owner.
Whether you are new to the business or seasoned gallerist, it is always wise
to remember the essentials.–Leigh Conner, Conner Contemporary Art

About the Author

Edward Winkleman began his career in the art world with a series of guerilla-style exhibitions organized in New York and London under the name 'hit & run'. In 2001 he co-founded Plus Ultra Gallery in the Williamsburg district of Brooklyn, New York. He was a founding member and the first president of the Williamsburg Gallery Association and an early member of the New Art Dealers Alliance. Moving into Manhattan's gallery district in Chelsea in 2006, he changed the name of the gallery to Winkleman Gallery. The gallery's exhibitions have been reviewed in the New York Times, Artforum, Art in America, Flash Art, the New Yorker, TimeOut New York, and Art on Paper, among others. Winkleman has participated in art fairs such as ARCO, Art Chicago, Pulse, Year 06, Aqua, and NADA. He is the author of an eponymous blog about the art world and politics and a contributing editor to the international blog Art World Salon. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; 1 edition (July 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581156642
• ISBN-13: 978-1581156645
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Arts & Photography > Business of Art
  • #74 in Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > New Business Enterprises

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative Book February 6, 2010

By Jeremy B. Teitelbaum

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I recently opened a photography/art gallery and ordered this book. I am very pleased with it. There are some really great ideas given. Also, not only does the author talk about his own experience running a gallery, but he brings in many examples from other gallery owners that he knows.
He covers in great detail everything from planning, design, opening, marketing, and selling.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who has plans or even just the desire to open an art gallery. I suggest you read this book FIRST.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A satisfying set of insights October 18, 2009

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

Aspiring and new art gallery owners will find much to value in the basics covered in How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery, a survey of everything from locating start-up capital and developing a business plan to growing a new business and attracting artists and clients alike. Lighting, location, build-out issues and more are specific to the art gallery world and provide a satisfying set of insights.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Start to finish - brilliant November 30, 2010

By matt

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is not rocket science - no wait - it really is. A gallery is one of the most complicated and hands-on intense projects anyone can begin. This book will help you in all fronts and steer you in the directions that it does not (due to professional constraints) cover, law, state and fed regs, etc. A service has been done and we all ought to owe Mr. W some thanks for sharing what he learned the hard way. Buy it - read it - and open a gallery. I did.